CHICAGO — Grant Thornton, one of America’s largest brands of professionals providing end-to-end audit, assurance, tax and advisory services, has been recognized with the Innovative Firm of the Year award by the Los Angeles Business Journal (LABJ), a distinction that celebrates firms who are redefining the profession through forward-thinking leadership, creative problem-solving and impactful use of technology.
In addition to this firmwide honor, three Grant Thornton leaders have been named to LABJ’s prestigious “Top 100 Accountants” (PDF - 54.5MB) list: Cathy Hyodo, Grant Thornton’s market managing partner for the Greater Southwest region, recognized for the fourth consecutive year; Damon Frier, partner in Partnership Tax Solutions, honored for the second year in a row; and Andrew Klint, managing director in Grant Thornton’s Los Angeles Audit practice.
“Being named Innovative Firm of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal is a tremendous honor and a testament to our commitment to delivering bold ideas and transformative solutions for our clients,” said Tony Perazzo, regional managing partner for Grant Thornton’s West region. “This recognition reflects the collective efforts of our entire team—and we’re equally proud to see Cathy, Damon and Andrew recognized among the Top 100 Accountants for their outstanding leadership and exceptional contributions to the profession.”
More on the winners:
Cathy Hyodo
Hyodo’s career spans more than three decades and includes multiple leadership roles. A former member of the firm’s Partnership Board, she has helped shape Grant Thornton’s strategic direction. Hyodo leads hundreds of tax, audit and advisory professionals while advising clients in manufacturing, digital media, e-commerce and technology. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Southern California (USC) and is a licensed CPA in California.
Damon Frier
Frier has held key leadership roles at Grant Thornton since 2003, including leading the Los Angeles Tax practice, the West Region Privately-Held Business Tax practice and the Southern California Private Equity initiative for more than a decade. He currently serves in a partner role in the firm’s Partnership Tax Solutions practice, providing tax support to Grant Thornton’s private company clients. Frier earned his bachelor’s degrees in psychology and economics from UCLA and a master’s in business taxation from USC. He is a licensed CPA in California.
Andrew Klint
Klint is a leader in Grant Thornton’s LA audit practice with nearly a decade of experience serving clients such as community banks, mortgage lenders and real estate investment trusts. His background also includes international experience through a two-year assignment with Grant Thornton’s Hamburg office. Klint earned a master’s degree in accounting and a bachelor’s degree in economics from USC.
These honors cap an exceptional year for Grant Thornton’s West region and its California offices. Earlier this year, the firm was named one of the Top LA Accounting & Business Advisory Firms by LA Times Studio. Professionals from the region have also recently been featured in prominent industry accolades, including features in the LABJ’s Women of Influence and Leaders of Influence: Minority CPAs lists, as well as the San Francisco Business Times’ Next Generation in Accounting spotlight.
“Together, these recognitions underscore the West region’s growing influence and celebrate a year marked by leadership, innovation and impact,” said Perazzo.
About Grant Thornton
Grant Thornton delivers professional services in the US through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services ― and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services.
In January 2025, Grant Thornton Advisors LLC formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform. The platform offers a premier advisory and tax practice, as well as independent audit practices. With offices across the Americas, Europe and the Middle East, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of more than 18,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture.
Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets.
Grant Thornton LLP, Grant Thornton Advisors LLC and their respective subsidiaries operate as an alternative practice structure (APS). The APS conforms with applicable laws, regulations and professional standards, including those from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
“Grant Thornton” refers to the brand under which the member firms in the Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL) network provide services to their clients and/or refers to one or more member firms. Grant Thornton LLP and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC serve as the U.S. member firms of the GTIL network. GTIL and its member firms are not a worldwide partnership and all member firms are separate legal entities. Member firms deliver all services; GTIL does not provide services to clients.
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